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Software Developer Contractor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Navy/DoD software engineering initiative. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in ... Approximately 49% at Contractor facility Work Arrangement: * Most positions are eligible for ...

... ICAP (Contractor Payroll) Flextrack (Vendor Management System) Software Developer On behalf of our client, Procom Services is searching for a Software Developer for a contract opportunity in ...

Software Developer Our Company N2IA Technologies is a consulting company specializing in acquisition/contracting support, cost/FinOps, and technology optimization for federal clients. We deliver ...

Software Developer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$100K - $220K/yr

We are seeking a on-site Software Developer to become an integral part of our team! You will be ... continuously contracted with the federal government to provide consulting services and software ...

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Software Developer Contractor information

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$48K

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How much do software developer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for software developer contractor in the United States is $111,845.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Software Developer Contractors?

Software Developer Contractors are professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and maintain software applications for clients or companies. Unlike full-time employees, contractors typically work under a contract for a specific period or for the duration of a project. They may work independently, through agencies, or as part of a consulting firm, and often have specialized skills to meet specific project needs. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the developer and the employer, allowing organizations to scale their technical resources as needed.

What is the difference between Software Developer Contractor vs Software Developer Employee?

AspectSoftware Developer ContractorSoftware Developer Employee
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and technical skills; certifications optionalSame as contractor, often with additional company-specific training
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often remote or on-site for short-term projectsFull-time, usually on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech firms, startups, consulting agenciesStandard in large corporations, tech companies, and organizations

Software Developer Contractors work on short-term projects, often remotely, with flexible arrangements, while Software Developer Employees are full-time staff with ongoing responsibilities and benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in employment status and work setup.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Developer Contractor, and why are they important?

To excel as a Software Developer Contractor, you need strong programming abilities, problem-solving skills, and a solid understanding of software development methodologies, often backed by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript are commonly required, along with certifications like AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer. Excellent communication, time management, and adaptability set top contractors apart, enabling them to quickly integrate with diverse teams and projects. These skills are essential for delivering high-quality, timely solutions in dynamic and varied client environments.

What are some common challenges software developer contractors face when integrating with existing teams?

Software developer contractors often join projects mid-stream and must quickly adapt to unfamiliar codebases, workflows, and team dynamics. A common challenge is building rapport with full-time staff and understanding company-specific coding standards or tools. Contractors are expected to be proactive in communicating, asking questions, and clarifying requirements to ensure smooth collaboration. Being flexible and open to feedback helps contractors deliver quality work while navigating these initial hurdles.
More about Software Developer Contractor jobs
What cities are hiring for Software Developer Contractor jobs? Cities with the most Software Developer Contractor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer Contractor jobs? The most popular types of Software Developer Contractor jobs are:
What states have the most Software Developer Contractor jobs? States with the most job openings for Software Developer Contractor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Software Developer Contractor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 74% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,845 per year, or $53.8 per hour.
Sr. Software Developer- Contractor

Sr. Software Developer- Contractor

Align Technology

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$53 - $70/hr

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago


Align Technology rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Sr. Software Developer- Contractor
Department: Research & Development
Employment Type: Contract
Location: US-North Carolina-Raleigh
Description
Align Technology is an industry leader and innovator in the medical device field which focuses on revolutionizing the dental and orthodontic industry. We are looking for a seasoned professional to join our software engineering team as a Senior Developer. In this role you will work together with other team members scalable, resilient backend APIs that power critical workflows for both internal teams and external partners. You will leverage modern platforms, employ best practices in delivering of numerous applications that enable Align Technology.
We value depth over breadth. We'd rather you deeply understand transactions, SQL execution plans, and HTTP semantics than have a line item for every AWS service. Our code reviews focus on why a design decision is correct, not just whether it compiles.
Role expectations
  • Development, debugging and support of corporate software applications using Java according to specific coding standards.
  • Develop automation for deployment procedures in collaboration with DevOps engineers leveraging Terraform and Helm frameworks
  • Accurate and precise code documenting
  • Design and development of tests for quality assurance of implemented program components.
  • Collaboration with QA engineers in the team to ensure the software is of high quality by contributing into automation test suit
  • Participation in all company's obligatory trainings and meetings.
  • Ensures the effective fulfillment of objectives and deadlines assigned
  • Manage tasks through the entire project lifecycle.
  • Assist in requirements gathering, planning, design and testing of assigned tasks.
  • Support developed system in production
  • Work closely with other development managers and business analysts to gather requirements, participate in release-planning, contribute to roadmap, and help orchestrate multiple parallel delivery pipelines

What we're looking for
In this role you will:
  • Design and implement core services with RESTful API using Spring framework with clean separation of concerns and business domain modelling
  • Write SQL - DDL for schema design and migrations, DML for queries that go beyond simple CRUD
  • Build and maintain Kafka consumers/producers for event-driven workflows
  • Participate in code reviews
  • Write tests at multiple levels: unit, integration, controller, and API client tests before handing it over to SQA
  • Own features end-to-end: from database schema through API contract to deployment

Qualifications and Skills:
  • Hands-on Java experience for 8+ years
  • Experience in building web applications and REST microservices using Spring Framework
  • Thorough knowledge and experience with multi-tier application architectures.
  • Strong knowledge of and HTTP protocol and REST concept
  • Understand software, hardware, networks, databases, messaging etc. well enough to do development, feasibility and estimating
  • Strong experience in working with message brokers and asynchronous communication between systems
  • Strong understanding of Event Driven Architecture
  • Practical experience working with AWS platform is strong plus
  • Good verbal & written communication skills.
  • Knowledge of deployment automation frameworks and DevOps concept is a plus

Technology stack:
  • Java 21+ / Spring Boot / PostgreSQL / Kafka / AWS (EKS) / Terraform

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